Automatic changing mechanism for disk records



Nov. 25, 1941. A. R. DOWNS AUTOMATIC CHANGING MECHANISM FOR DISK RECORDS Original Filed Oct. 1, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 25, 1941. A. R. DOWNS 2,263,619

AUTOMATIC CHANGING MECHANiSM FOR DISK RECORD v Original Filed Oct. 1, 193'? 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ywly w Nov. 25, 1941. ow s AUTOMATIC CHANGING MECHANISM FOR DISK RECORDS Original Filed Oct. 1, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 25, 1941. A. R. DOWNS 2,263,519

' AUTOMATIC CHANGING MECHANISM FOR DISK RECORDS ori inal Filed Oct. 1, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 mm a R G m mwwm q. r m MN 1 am mw R E mm .2 e w v ow n 3 o vm Q o 1 o I M $4 .h R 0 1R f o. Q fl QT J k r 3 a \S w o 6% \Nm 2 R w wk NOV. 25, 1941. R DOWNS 2,263,619

AUTOMATIC CHANGING MECHANISM FOR DISK RECORDS Originai Fied Oct. 1, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 r Fig. 5. 8 4

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claimed in the original application 1 mentioned.-

Patented Nov. 25, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE AU'roMA'rIC CHANGING MECHANISM Fon. DISK nnconns Arthur Robert Downs, Brighton, England, assignor to'lhe Garrard Engineering and Manufactnrlng Company, Limited, Swindon, England, a

British company Original application October 1, 1937, .Serial No.

' 166,893. Divided and this application September 19; 1939, Serial No. 295,554. In Great Britain October a, 1936 y 8Claims. (01.274-10) This invention relates to gramophones, and

more particularly relates to a new and improved magazine therefor for storing and automatically successively delivering disk records for playing on the turntable. This case is ,a division of my copending application, Serial Number 166,893, filed on October 1, 1937.

'Accordingto my invention vertically spaced Mechanism is provided torlaterally displacing the vane or vanes supporting the bottom record of the magazine topermitit to drop by gravity towards the turntable. The lateral vane displacement is automatically initiated by the apparatus also arranged for reversing and removing the records from the turntable, as disclosed and hereinabove Figure 1 is a view, in perspectiye, showing the parts of the mechanism which appear above the motorboard and including, in addition to the turntable and the receptacle for played recrds,

means for stacking the records to be played and for delivering the same by gravity one at a time. to the turntable, means torgrlpping, removing,

reversing, replacing and rejecting each record and, the means for lifting the record from the turntable preparatory'to its-engagement by the grippingnieans.

Figure 2 is a side elevation showing the mech-.- nism both above and below the motorboard.

' Figure 3 is a top plan view with the turntable removed.

. Figure 4 is an underside or inverted plan view.

Figure 5 is a sectional perspective view of de-' tails of the record delivery means.

Figure 6 is a sectional perspective view of a detail of the reversing means.

In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings the mechanism for performing the functions of changing and reversingthe records is located vanes individually support a. vertical stack of disk records above the turntable of a gramophone. 10

above the motorboard whilst the motor driven operating mechanism for controlling automatically the performance of such functions is located below the motorboard.

. In the present specification the description of the illustrated apparatus will be divided into two parts; in the first part will be described the functions and necessary details of construction of the mechanism which is above the motorboard, whilst in the second part will be described theconstruction and operation of the operating mechanism below the motorboard and its operative association with the mechanism above the motorboard.

Changing and reversing mechanism This broadly comprises the means for" storing the records to be played and for delivering the same one at a time to the gramophone turntable and associated therewith the means for reversing each record and for discharging the same both automatically in the normal series of operations and prematurely by predetermination on the part of the operator.

Referring now to the. drawings, l, indicates the usual motor driven turntable on which the records are played, 2 the receptacle for played records and 3 the swinging arm which efiects both the reversal of each record and its removal from the tumtabl-e to a position above the receptacle 2.

The records selected for playing are supported in spaced relationship in the form of a column above the turntable onto which they are permitted to fall one by one for playing.

I 4, each movable independently of the other and arranged as two columns on opposite sides of the turntable, each column containing an equal number of vanes. By this arrangement the vanes in the two columns form opposing pairs, each pair" serving for the support of a single record.

Alignment of the records one above the other and with their central holes directly above the projecting end 01' the motor spindle in the centre or the turntable is ensured by meansof a depending pin 6 which, in the example illustrated, is, shown as being supported above the turntable by a cross-bar I. The vanes in each column are mounted to turn about a vertical pivot pin 8, see Ejgure 5, and they are supported in parallel spaced relationship by a slotted standard 9 coaxial with the pivot pin 8 and bycorresponding slots in a vertical tubular casing l0. Thereis thus provided a two point support for each vane which is sufficient to enable each vane to sup The means shown for this purpose comprise'a series of vanes back again on the opposite movement.

port its proportion of the weight of a record without bending. v

The records are released for playing one at a time automatically from the lowest upwards by the -removal of each pair of supporting vanes. This is effected in the example illustrated by imparting simultaneously a lateral swinging movement to the vanes in each pair by means comprising a crescent shaped striker ll mounted at the upper end of a rod l2. This rod is adapted to receive a step by step vertical lift to bring the long side of the striker into registration withthe stem of each vane in turn, and a turning motion to cause the striker to displace the selected vane from its supporting position beneath a record.

These movements are imparted respectively through the medium of rack eth I3 on the rod l2 and an oscillating lever .4 which engages in a vertical groove IS in the rod l2 by means of a pin I6. Thefurther actions of these operating means will be described hereafter in connection with the mechanism which is disposed below the motorboard.

An opposite movement is imparted to the striker to reposition each pair of vanes when loading up with records by means of a hand operated knob H, see Figure 1.

The means for reversing each record and for transferring the same from the turntable to a position above the receptacle 2 comprises an arm- 3. This arm in the example illustrated, is made from fiat material which at its outer end is shaped to provide an extended supporting sur-.

face l8 to prevent tilting of an engaged record and at its inner end terminates in a spindle l8a (Figure 6) for rotatable support in bearings on opposite sides of a vertical casin member IS.

The rotary movement of the arm 3 is about its own axis and such movement is imparted by means of a rack 20 at the upper end of a pull rod 2| and a pinion 22 mounted upon the spindle I8a of; the arm intermediate the aforesaid bearing supports.

Sufficient vertical movement is imparted to the rack in both directions as will turn the arm com-g pletely over on one movement of the rack and This vertical movement of the rack is imparted through a lever 23 one end of which is slotted for engagement with opposite sides of a foot 24 on the lower end of the pull rod 2|. This form of connection permits the pull rod and foot to rotate with the casing member l9 relatively to the lever 23. The swinging of the arm 3 is effected through a corresponding motion which is imparted to the casing member I9. For this purpose the casing member is formed or provided with a depending sleeve 25 and the motion required is imparted to the sleeve by the action .of a pull rod 26 on an arm 2! formin part of said sleeve. This turning motion, of the casing member is resisted by a pull spring 23 which serves to return the casing member to a position where thearm '3 is above the receptacle 2.

Each record is intended to be gripped by an engagement with its central hole and for this purpose it is proposed to use in the example illustrated,1a gripper consisting oftwo segmental portions 29 and 39 constituting together an .expansible pin. These portions 29 and 30 are disposed centrally of the enlarged supporting surface I8 at theouter end of the arm 3 so as to project therefrom, the near portion 29 being fixed, and the outer portion 30 being made movable relatively to the fixed portion to produce expansion and contraction of the gripper accord- ,ing to whether the record is to be held or released.

Relative movement of the portion 30 in a di; rection towards the other portion 29 is effected by mounting the same upon the outer end of a pull rod 3|, the inner end of which enters the interior of the casing member I9. Mounted upon this inner end is a crescent shaped plate 32 behind which engages the upper end of the vertical arm of a bell crank lever 33, the other or horizontal arm of such lever engaging the upper end of a spindle 34. This spindle passes through and is provided with a shoulder 34a, which is slidable within the sleeve and at its lower end it is engaged by the forked arm of a further bell crank lever 35.

In operation, a downward pull imparted to the spindle 34 produces inward movement of the vertical arm of the bell crank lever and corresponding retraction of the portion of the gripper. This inward movement of the portion 30 is effected against the action of a pull spring 36 which serves to return the portion 30 to the normal or expanded position.

the size of the same.

shaped and positioned to engage under the overhanging portion of a positioned record to lift the same off the turntable for engagement by the gripper in a manner as will hereafter appear.

The pick-up or tone arm is indicated at 38 and this is mounted and operated so as to be moved into engagement with each positioned record and when it has reached the run-off groove at the central portion of the record to be lifted and swung back out of the playing position whilst the record is either being turned over and replaced or a fresh record is being positioned. All such movements are effected automatically in a manner hereafter to be described. To vary the inward movement of the pick-up or tone arm to enable the same correctly to engage difierent sized records a gauging arm'39 is provided with projects above the motor board to engage the edge of a positioned record and feel In operation a record is first placed in position so as to rest partly upon the turntable and 1 partly upon the gauging arm 39. The remaining records are then arranged in a column above the turntable" by positioning the same one at a time upon the ascending pairs of vanes 4, correct location being effected by threading the same upon the spindle 6.

Upon starting up the motor the gauging arm will be moved out from beneath the record, which then falls into place upon the turntable and will feel the size of the record. The pickup or tone arm will then be positioned on the record and reproduction will commence.

When one side of-a positioned record has been played the pick-up will be lifted and swung back to the non-playing position. The record will then be lifted by upward movement of the rests 31 and the arm 3 will be swung into position bepick-up arm moves across the record-the levers the playing position and brings the reversed rec'- To effect the inward movement of the vanes when loading and assuming the knob is in its inord over the turntable. The grippers then con- .termediate position, then by turning it in an tract and the record falls onto the raised rests anti-clockwise direction (see Figure 4), the

when they descend and lower the record onto 5 members it and 41 will berotated correspondthe turntable. The pick-up then moves into the playing position once more and the newly po sitioned side of the recordis played.

During the playing of this reverse side of the,

record the arm 3 remains in the playing position to be engaged by a cam on the cam drum to efwith the grippers inverted. When, therefore, the second side of the record has been played it is lifted from the turntable by the raising of the rests 31 and positively pushed over the depending grippers which then expand. The arm, with the engaged record, is then swung over the receptacle 2 when the grippers contract, releas ing' the record, which falls flat into the receptacle.-

In the meantime the next pair of vanes in the series turn to deposit their record on the raised rests 3'! which then, descend and so'lower the record onto the turntable for a repetition of the above described operations. These continue until all the stored records have been played or until the motor is switched off.

The mechanism beneath the motorboard and hereinafter termed the operating mechanism is operated by means of cams carried by a cam drum 4| which isdriven through gearing by the gramophone motor 42, a clutch, not shown, being interposed between this motor and the gearing to enable this mechanism to be sto ed when the records are being played, and ,restarted when a record is to be reversed or removed.

This clutch is adapted to be operated automatically, by means hereinafter described, during the normal sequence of operations of the gramophone orymanually by means of a clutch lever 40 to set the operating mechanism running when it is desired to effect rejection of a. record during or prior to its reproduction or after reversal.

The automatic operation of the clutch is effectedwhen the playing of one side of a record has been completed, the clutch being engaged automatically to start the operating mechanism by means of a lever system 43, situated beneath the turntable on the upper surface of the motorboard and operatively associated with the pickup arm, the arrangement being such that as the 43 are so moved that oneof them is caused to approach a projection 44 carried by and rotating with the motor spindle 5. When the tonearm reaches the limit of its inward movement the projection 44 engages the adjacent lever of the ingly. During this rotation the operating member 41 engages with a pin 48 projecting downwardly from the underside of one arm of a bell crank lever 49, the other arm of which is adaptedfect automatic operation of this lever when unloading the magazine, as .mentioned later. This lever is pivotally mounted by one end to the motor casing, and as a consequence of the engagement of its pin 48 with the operating member 4'! continued movement of this'member causes the lever to turn about its pivot; Connected with V one'arm of the lever 48 is one end of a link 50, the other end of the link being connected to the 0 oscillating lever 14. Thus when the lever 49 is 40 lever i i.

turned about its pivot, the oscillating lever M is rotated by the link 50, this rotation being imparted to the rod l2 by'the pin 16 and slot i5. When the knob is turned back to its original position the member 46 will engage the lever it and return it to its first position, thereby setting the striker back in its original position in readi- "ness for the next pair of vanes.

As both vanes 4 of a pair must be rotated in synchronism the movement of the lever $9 is transmitted to a further oscillating lever M asso- "ciated with a i'urther rod l2-on the other side of the turntable through a further link 5!, one end of which is attached to'the link 50, the

other end being connected to a lever h2,which Lis pivotally mounted at its centre, as indicated at 53. The other end of this pivoted lever is" connected to one end of a link 54, thefreeend of which is coupled to the further oscillating J By this means'aturning movement is imparted simultaneously to each rod l2 eifectingsimultaneously inward movement of corresponding vanes in each column. J

After each pair of vanes B is turned inwards the rods I! have to be'raised to bring the striker I ll into registration with the stem of the ,next pair of vanes. v

This raising of each rod 12 is effected by levers 56, one being associated-with each rod I 2.

Each lever 56 is provided with a tooth-shaped and, which is adapted to be brought into engagement with the teeth 13 of the associated rod I2 and when in engagement is given a lifting system thereby imparting movement to the same,

such movement being transmitted through suitthe upper side of thegnotorboard.

The knob I1 is held in an intermediate rotary position by means of, a ball catch'so that it maybe rotated either in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.

The knob i1 is provided with a vertical pivot pin which passes down through the motorboard and-at its lower end is attached a seemental member 46 and an operating member 41.

movement to raise the rod I! the desired amount and finally to be withdrawn in readiness for the next lifting movement.

These movements are obtained by pivotallymounting the levers 56 by means of a pinand slot mounting 51, to brackets which depend from the underside of the motorboard, the pivotal mounting so provided permitting the lever to be moved to and fro to effect engagement and disengagement of the shaped end with the 05 teeth of the associated rod 12, whilst the same is manually operated by .the knob I! mounted on is free to simultaneously be turned in' such a direction about this pivot'to 'cause the shaped end to be raised'or lowered. The-movements of each lever,56 are obtained through a pin andslot connection, the pin'ifla' nection a forward and upward motion of the shaped ends 55, ,and when rotated in the opposite direction the shaped ends '55 are moved outwards. and downwards;

Rotation of the shaft 60 is effected by a further crank 6| which is connected to one end of a pull rod 62, the other end of such pull rod being coupled to a rocking lever 63 which is operated by a member 65 attached to pin 45 of the knob l1. Accordingly, when the knob I1 is rotated the member 65 engages the lever 63 in advance of the engagement between 41 and 48, and. such lever swings in a direction which causes the crank 6| to rotate, thereby effecting the desired movements of the levers 56 through the shaft 60. A return spring is provided to return the shaft to its normal position when the knob I1 is turned so that the member 65 releases the lever 63.

In order that the rods I2 remain in a raised position, spring ratchets 64 are provided which engage the teeth of the rods and hold the same in each raised position.

1 to the rods I2 through the associated pull rods and levers.

Pull springs are provided to return the various parts to their normal position when the cam releases the arm of the bell crank lever 49.

The step by step upward movement of the rods I 2 is obtained as before through the shaft 60, rotation of which in the desired direction is obtained through a crank 6la mounted on such shaft, the freeend of this crank being connected to a pull rod 62a, the other end oi which is coupled to one end of a rocking lever 63a. This rocking lever is pivotally mounted by its other end on the motorboard and is engaged intermediate its length by a cam carried by the cam drum, engagement of the cam with this lever causing such lever to swing in a direction to impart through the pull rod 62a the required movement of the shaft 60.

Unloading of the magazine is effected automatically, during playing by a cam on the cam drum, which cam is adapted to engage the asso- When the rnagazine has been completely the pin to engage the end 66 of the rocking lever 63 whichis pivotally mounted by its outer end to the motorboard.

When the member 65 engages the outer end I of the lever 63 the shaft 60 is rotated, the amount of rotation in this instance being suflicient to effect engagement between the projections 56a on the bars .56 and the projecting portion 64a of the ratchets 64, so that-the same are depressed, thereby causing each ratchet to turn aboutits pivot 64b and disengage from the teeth of the rods I2. I

Simultaneously with disengagement between the ratchets 64 and rods I2, disengagement is obtained between the tooth-like members on the bars 56 and the teeth of the rodsf such disbe positioned on the turnciated lever 49, which in turn operates the oscillating levers I4 in the appropriate direction to cause 'the long arm of the striker II to engage the stem of the vane 4 as described. g

Record reversing mechanism pivotally mounted, in a suitable bearing, on the I underside of the motorboard.

The other arm of the bell crank lever is coupled to a pull rod 61, theother end of the pull rod being attached to a rocking'lever 68 which is operated by a cam on the cam drum.

The operation of the pull rod 26 which imparts through the arm 21, swinging movement to the arm 3, is effected by coupling the free end of the pull rod to one end of a rocking lever 69, which is pivotally mounted at its other end on the motengagement .is efiected by imparting suflicient I movement to the bars 56 to effect the required disengagement. I

During playing unloading of the magazine is effected automatically and for this purpose the rotary movement and also the upward movement of the rods l2 are effected by cams on the cam drum 4|. y

The automatic rotary'movement of the rods I2 is obtained by a cam, not shown, on the cam drum 4|, which ,cam engages the frpe arm of the bell crank lever 49 and moves thesame in such a direction that the'other arm swings in the correct direction to impart the desired rotary movement tained through the medium of a pull rod 10, one,

end of which is connected to the other arm of the bell crank lever, whilst the other end of the pull rod is coupled toa rocking lever H adapted to be operated by an associated cam carried by the cam,drum. Y

Record raising mechanism 1 The rests 31 are attached to the upper ends of vertical spindles 12 which spindles pass through the motorboard. To raise the rests these spindles are lifted, and this is effected by arms12a which are adapted to engage the lower ends of the spindles 12, thereby lifting the same, lowering being effected by reverse rotation of the shaft.

Pick-up operatinemechanism The pick-upor tone arm is mounted in bearings on a standard and is adapted to be swung into and out of engagement with a, positioned and has attached, rigidly to its lower end, a short arm 14 which co-acts with a rocking lever 15 pivotally mounted on the motorboard, said-rocking lever being engaged by a cam intermediate its length, so as to eifect movement of the tone arm outwardly and clear of apositioned record.

The inward motion of the pick-up or tone arm is effected by a spring 16 which is tensioned when the said armis swung out ofengagement. One end of this spring is anchore to the motorboard whilst the other end is attac ed to a rocking lever 'Il pivotally mounted by one end' at 18 on the motorboard.

Normally, this lever TI is held in a retracted position bya cooperating cam surface onthe cam drum, but when the pick-up or tone arm is to be brought into engagement with a positioned record, the lever leaves the cam surface and is pulled by the spring into a cam slot provided for the purpose in the drum as it rotates. This causes the end 19 of this lever to move to the left (see Figure 4) and this in turn imparts a sliding motion, in a similar direction, to a further lever 80, one end of which is attached to the end l9 of the lever 18, whilst the other end is attached to a crank 8| pivotally mounted on the motorboard. v

The sliding motion of the lever 80 is translated into a rotary movement of the pick-up or tone arm through a short arm 82, which is attached being forked to engage a collar or shoulder 85 attached to or forming part of the lower end of the spindle I3. When the bell crank 84 is turned about its pivot the forked arm engages the collar or shoulder'and forces it in a downward direction, a similar motion therefore being imparted to the vertical spindle.

The turning movement of the bell crank lever 84 is effected by a rocking lever 86, one end of which is pivotally mounted on the underside of the motorboard, the other end engaging the free arm of the bell crank lever. The rocking lever is operated by an asociated cam which engages one end of said lever, the cam being carried by Y the aforesaid cam drum. The pick-u is lowered onto the record surface at the appropriate time by gravity as the cam releases the rocking lever 86. t 1

It is obvious that various changes and modifi-,

I cations may be made to the details of construction without departing fromv the general spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended at one side of the turntable, mechanism for supporting the records at their edges, at another side thereof, said vanes being pivotally supported in alignment on a vertical axis for individual lateral movement, and a periodically oscillatable apparatus operatively associated with the vanes for laterally displacing the lowermost record engaging vane'to permit the bottom record of the pile to drop towards the'turntable, and means to the lower end of the vertical spindle It, the

arm being caused to turn in the appropriate direction through the medium of a pin 83 projecting down from the arm and engaging a hook shaped projection 83:: formed on the sliding lever at.

T0 vary the position of the projection 83 on the lever 80 to accommodate records of various sizes, the pivot pin of the crank 8| has attached to it a further crank which is operated to rotate. the

crank BI and thereby position the sliding lever 80, by the gauging arm 39. The uppert end of this gauging arm projects above the motorboard and is provided with a pad which engages the record edge and thus feels the size of a positioned record.

The lower end of the gauging arm projects below the motor board'and is coupled, as above stated, by a lever to the crank pivot pin of the crank 8|.

By this means the positionoi the gauging arm determines automatically the amount by which the pick-up is swung into the playing position. This arm is adapted to be swung clear of the record edge during playing. t d a To permit the pick-up or sound box on the.

' pivotally mounted on the motorboard, one arm operatively associated with said apparatus for actuating the same. i

2. A magazine'for supporting a pile of disk records above a turntable comprising a series of vane's spaced one above another in two columns at opposite sides of the turntable for supporting the records at their edges in a vertical stack arrangement, said vanes being pivotally supported for individual lateral movement, and a periodically. oscillatable apparatus operatively associated with the vanes of the respective columns for simultaneously laterally displacing the lowermost record engaging pair of vanes of the .respective columns to permit the bottom record of the stack vanes thereof to permit the bottom record of the stack to drop towards the turntable at a predetermined time, comprising a movable rod adjacent each of said columns carrying a striker for abutting the stems of a pair of, vanes, and

means operatively associated with said rod and striker foractuating the rod, whereby the strikers thereof abutting the vanes displace the same.

. 4..A magazine forsupporting disk records above a turntable comprising a series of vanes spaced one above another in two columns at opposite sides of the turntable for supporting the records at their edges in a vertical stack arrangement, said vanes-being pivotally supported for individual lateral movement, and apparatus operatively associated with said vanes of the respective columns for successively laterally displacing the lowermost record engaging pair of vanes to permit the bottom record of the stack to drop towards the turntable at a predetermined time, comprising a movable rod adjacent each of said columns carrying-a striker for abutting the stems of a pair of vanes, and means operatively .associated with said rod and striker for actuating the rod, whereby the strikers thereof abutting the vanes displace the same, and means for lifting saidrods' step by step opposite the vane pair to be laterally displaced.

5. A magazine for supporting disk records above a turntable comprising a series of vanes spaced one above-another in two columns at opposite sides of the turntable for supporting the records at their edges in a vertical stack arrangement, said vanes being pivotally supported for individual lateral movement, a standard for each column of vanes having a slotted portion for each vane for supporting it horizontally and apparatus operatively associated with said vanes of the respective columns forautomatically successively laterally displacing the lowermost record engaging'pair of vanes to permit the bottom record of the stack to drop towards the turntable at a predetermined time, comprising a movable rod adjacent each of said columns carrying a crescent shaped striker for abutting the stems of a pair of vanes, and means operatively associated with said rod and striker for actuating the rod, whereby the strikers thereof abutting the vanes displace the same, and means for lifting said rods -step by step opposite the vane pair to be laterally displaced, including a vertical rack portion on each rod.

6; A magazine for supporting disk records.

above a turntable comprising a series of vanes opposite the vane pair to be laterally displaced, and apparatus operatively associated with'said rod and striker for actuating the rod, whereby thestrikers thereof abutting the vanes displace the same for oscillating said rods for operating said strikers against the adjacent vanes for swinging them from under the record, whereby the record drops towards the turntable. "7. In a record changer, a support for a pile of records from which the lowermost records are successively released, comprising a plurality of spaced one above another in two columns at opftermined time, comprising a movable rod adjacent each of said columns carrying a crescent vanes, means for lifting said rods step by step shaped'striker 'for abutting the stems of a pair of vanes spaced one above the other for supporting the records of the pile at their edges, said vanes being pivotally supported for individual lateral movement and a periodically actuable apparatus 'the same step by step to a position opposite the vane engaging the lowermost record of the pile, means operatively associated with said rod for oscillating the same, whereby the striker carried thereon laterally displaces the vane engaging said lowermost record, and means engageable with the record to limit lateral movement thereof with respect to the vanes.

8. In a record changer, a turntable, a magazine for supporting above the turntable a pile of records from which the lowermost records are successively released towards the turntable, comprising a plurality of vanes spaced one above the other for supporting the records of the pile at their edges, said vanes being pivotally supported adjacent the turntable for individual lateral movement, and a periodically actuable apparatus operatively associated with the vanes for laterally displacing the vanes engaging the successive lowermost records of the pile, said apparatus comprising a rod mounted for vertical and oscillative movement, and carrying 'a crescent-shaped striker for abutting the stem of a vane, means operatively associated with said rod for lifting the same step by step to a position opposite the vane engaging the lowermost record of the pile, means operative associated with said rod for oscillating the same, whereby the striker carried thereon laterally displaces the vane engaging said lowermost record, and means engageable with the record to limit lateral movement thereof with respect to the vanes.

ARTHUR ROBERT DOWNS. 

